What Matters in ISIS Claims of Responsibility | The Cipher Brief

The attack in Nice, France that killed at least 84 people poses new questions regarding ISIS claims of responsibility: Does the automatic assumption of ISIS involvement, even before the group makes an official statement, boost the group’s image and prestige? If proof of an oath of allegiance, known as bay’ah, by the perpetrator is not found in this instance, what does that mean for the group’s standard of accepting responsibility for inspired attacks? And why does ISIS publicly accept some attacks and stay silent on others?

The lack of an oath of allegiance or other firm ties to ISIS make the Nice attack of particular note, considering other ISIS claims of responsibility.